There are a number of quiet hobbies anyone can engage in once they reach retirement age: from cross-stitching to playing chess to taking long walks.
For 67-year-old former school principal Pedro Bartolay, it was making crossword puzzles—but he never thought that his ginormous puzzle would break the current Guinness World Record for the largest English-language crossword puzzle.
Bartolay, a resident of San Jacinto in Masbate, began his undertaking back in 2008, just for kicks. It currently hangs on his wall and measures 4.5 ft by 4.5 ft in order to accommodate 4,225 words and 11,000 boxes.
He even made a booklet full of clues for those who would like to answer it.
San Jacinto mayor Leny A. Arcenas plans to honor Bartolay for his endeavor. She hopes that the puzzle will win world recognition and help the tourism of San Jacinto.
One thing's for sure: it will take hours, maybe days, for any crossword puzzle-lover who decides to answer Bartolay's masterpiece to once again feel boredom.
